Ben Stiller in "The House of Blue Leaves"

Ben Stiller talks about his film career and his role in John Guare’s “The House of Blue Leaves,” directed by David Cromer. He plays Artie Shaughnessy, a zookeeper and wannabe songwriter, who is trying to cope with a schizophrenic wife (played by Edie Falco), an impatient girlfriend (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and a visit from the Pope. Ben Stiller’s mother Anne Meara played Bunny in the original off-Broadway production of the play in 1971, then Ben made his Broadway and professional debut in the role of Ronnie in 1986, and he is now on Broadway for the first time, but in the exact same play. “The House of Blue Leaves” opens April 25 at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

The Leonard Lopate Show

Leonard Lopate hosts the conversation New Yorkers turn to each afternoon for insight into contemporary art, theater, and literature, plus expert tips about the ever-important lunchtime topic: food.
Produced by WNYC.

WNYC 93.9 FM and AM 820 are New York's flagship public radio
stations, broadcasting the finest programs from NPR, PRI and American Public Media, as well as a wide range of award-winning local
programming. WNYC is a division of
New York Public Radio.